Instagram has launched a new feature that is similar to TikTok, “Instagram Reels”. It allows users to record 15-second video clips on the photo and video sharing social media platform. TikTok is a Chinese video-sharing platform owned by ByteDance. The application has 1,000,000,000+ Installs on the Google Play Store. From this, we can assume how famous TikTok really is around the world. It was really famous in India, however, due to the conflicts between India and China, the application is now banned in India.
Instagram Reels allows users to share fun and engaging video content of 15 seconds. After TikTok got banned in India, Facebook was testing this feature in India. The feature is also available in Brazil, France, and Germany. Facebook is best known for stealing ideas. Remember when Snapchat came up with ideas of stories? Facebook tried to buy Snapchat. However, Snapchat didn’t agree and Facebook came up with a similar feature.
These videos can be shared as stories and can be sent through DM’S. Reels can be seen in the “Top Reels” section on Instagram. Since the United States is also planning to ban the TikTok application, it was the perfect time for Facebook to come up with an alternative. Trump said:
Tiktok will be be out of business in the United States on September 15th unless it’s purchased by an American company.
Microsoft is also planning to buy ByteDance’s TikTok application. President Trump has already threatened to ban the application.
Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President’s concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury
How can Instagram compete against TikTok?
Instagram was launched back in 2010 and is owned by Facebook. It is a photo and video-sharing social media platform. There are over 500 million + daily active users on Instagram. According to the wall street journal, “Instagram has more than one billion users worldwide, while TikTok has 100 million users in the U.S. and hundreds of millions more globally”. Also, due to the pandemic, the user engagement on Instagram has increased. Stein said:
We’re going big with entertainment and [making Explore] the permanent place for you to go lean back, relax, and be inspired every day. It’s our hope that with this format we have a new chapter of entertainment on Instagram.
Instagram also allows its users to generate revenue through sponsored posts. Influencers on Instagram are already generating decent revenue. It is pretty obvious that the Instagram Reels feature is going to be a success.
Hellooooo, Reels 🙌
— Instagram (@instagram) August 5, 2020
Introducing a new way to create and discover short, entertaining videos on Instagram.
Reels is rolling out today to more than 50 countries around the world.
🤳🤩🎥✨😂👀💯https://t.co/RfXDhYawSF pic.twitter.com/FjSGSpSGpn
How To Use Instagram Reels Feature?
As mentioned above, Reels is rolling out to more than 50 countries including the US, UK, Japan, and Australia. The feature is available on both iOS and Android.
- Tap on the Reels at the bottom of the Instagram camera.
- Record an Instagram Reels of up to 15 seconds by tapping and holding the record button.
- Add music from the huge-music library or record your own track.
- There are multiple editing tools including AR effects, Countdown, and Speed.
- Share it with the world.
If your account is public, your reel can be seen by anyone. However, if it is private, only your followers can see it.
As mentioned above, it is only available in few countries. If it is not available in your country, you won’t be able to see the Reels. However, there is an alternative, you can use VPN to watch and share reels.
- Clear data and cache of Instagram application.
- Download Hola VPN from Google Play Store.
- Change your timezone to the United States.
- Choose USA and click on Instagram from Hola VPN.
- Login to your Instagram Account.
- You will be able to see the Instagram Reels.
Masab Farooque is a Tech Geek, Writer, and Founder at The Panther Tech. He is also a lead game developer at 10StaticStudios.
When he is not writing, he is mostly playing video games